Coffee & Critique Writers Group

Food Porn 1: Hot Chocolate

2009-12-16T21:30:00.000-08:00

I adore food. It has been my friend, my entertainment, my everything. This is why I am fat. But I'm tired of being fat, ergo the liquid diet I am starting on January 5th. Yes, I am a cliche, a New Year dieter. Get over it.

As a result I've been saying goodbye to all my favorite foods before I spend six months sucking sustenance through a straw and never consuming most of them again. I am not pigging out or overeating; I am just saying goodbye to some friends who've gotten me through, while killing me slowly, of course. I usually avoid these foods at all costs. Seeking them out is a strange, but freeing experience.

My food porn is not everyone's. I like a lot of foodie politically incorrect stuff like boxed mac n cheese. But it's my farewell party. Enter at your own risk, but feel free to argue with me in the comments if you just can't stand my version of gustatory gusto.

My friend Lisa calls this fat girl porn. So don't read this if you're on a diet as I wouldn't want to be responsible for the consequences.

Lately I am on a hot chocolate retrospective. It must be made with milk, people, not water. But other than that, I'm not much of a purist about stirring up cocoa on the stove. Instant works perfectly, especally with the addition of lots of real whipped cream. It's like drinking liquid silk. Chocolate flavored.

Perfect hot chocolate sleeps beneath a layer of cream, so every time I tip my unapolgetically Christmassy mug, steaming cocoa lava sneaks out from under the sweet, sweet cream, stinging my tongue while the top layer soothes with coolness. Hot and cold, chocolate and vanilla, darkness and light. It pleasures you with warmth: hands, lips, teeth, tongue. Sex, in a cup.

The smell of the steam is every snow day you ever had as a kid, warm clothes fresh from the dryer, fuzzy socks when your feet are cold.

I drink it halfway down till the foam is gone, and then I go to the fridge for more whipped sin. It's the only way to be sure I get the optimum experience all the way through. I sip it without guilt, without apology, without all the hangups I've had my whole life about any fattening food. Then I look at the chocolate sludge left in the bottom and smile...

Skirt Magazine Seeking Essays for 2010

2009-12-14T20:59:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season; here's a little something to think of for the new year.

Skirt has posted their list of essay themes for 2010.
Submit your essay on the first of the month before the one you're aiming for. So if you want it to go in February's "I Heart...." issue, submit by January 1.

Check their contributor's guidelines for details, and then read "The 1 Second Rule" to get a feel for their style.

Harlequin Under Fire For New Self-Publishing and Critique Services

2009-11-20T18:58:00.000-08:00

Harlequin first announced a new ebooks division called Carina Press, and now they've started a self-publishing arm and a critque service that leaves a bit of a bad taste considering all the aspiring authors court them. Read about it and their revoked RWA status at Agent Kristen Nelson's blog.

St. Charles Community College Coffeehouse Open-Mic

2009-11-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

Friday, November 13 is the next Coffeehouse Open-Mic Night at St. Charles Community College.

I am hoping to make this one, so say hello if you come. But all the white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies are mine! Hands off!

Moving Day!

2009-10-14T14:35:00.001-07:00

Okay, actually that was yesterday. Holy cheerios, it's been a long haul, but I am finally in the process of moving into my new home.

So please excuse me from blogging for the rest of the week, and posts may be sporadic after that. I hope to have at least one a week, but we shall have to see how well my new internet hook up works :) Thanks to everyone who's been rooting me on in the great house search. I'm home.

Samhain Seeks Angels and Demons Romance Stories

2009-10-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

Inkyblots reports that Samhain is looking for a few good Angel/Demon Romance stories. The deadline is November 1st and stories should be 20,000 to 30,000 words.

Alimentum: Literary Magazine About Food

2009-10-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

As we head into the great season of eating, I thought I'd feature a lit mag dedicated to gustatory delights and frights, Alimentum. They publish food-related fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry. Right now they are hosting a poetry contest.

Deadline: December 1, 2009

Prize: $500 and publication

Entry Fee: $15 (Includes one year subscription)

Submissions: Via Snailmail Only

Alimentum

P.O. Box 210028

Nashville, TN 37221

Here are some menupoems they have online.

I could wax poetic about food, no problem. Now where is that verse I wrote about bread?

Borders Open-Door Poetry Video Series Writing Advice

2009-10-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen Borders Open Door Poetry Series, check it out. The music combined with poets reading their work is balm for the soul. They are on episode seven, so if you have seen it, but haven't checked back, there are new clips.

In this latest episode, Patricia Smith also gives writing advice about the most valuble tool a writer has in this short clip. Check out her poem "Spinning Till You Get Dizzy." Beware. You may get stuck there for awhile. It's like potato chips; you can't eat just one.

Change in Meeting Site for Coffee and Critique - Rendezvous Cafe

2009-09-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

From Donna:

Hi Everyone,

First, I apologize to everyone who did not get the word last week that we were trying a new place or whose names I left of the e-mail about the meeting change, especially Doyle and Darrell (I'm not sure about your spelling) who showed up at Barnes and Noble.

Tomorrow we are again going to meet at the Rendezvous Cafe on Main Street in O'Fallon from 10 am to noon.

If you plan to read, please bring at least 10 copies--no more than 5 pages, double-spaced.

If I've forgotten to include anyone, please send to them.

Thanks. Hope to see you tomorrow.

Donna

http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com/

Open-Mic Coffeehouse This Week

2009-09-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

St. Charles Community College is hosting their first open-mic coffeehouse of the Fall semester this Thursday, September 24, 2009. Come by and share your work (3-5 minutes worth) or just sit back and soak up the inspiration. Bonus - free coffee and cookies. This event is free and open to the public.

The SCC Coffeehouse meets from 7-9 p.m. in the auditorium of the Daniel J. Conoyer Social Sciences Building.

Don't Forget the Writer Mama Book Giveaway Going on Now

2009-09-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

Christina Katz is still distributing free books over at the Writer Mama blog with her Back-to-School Giveaways. Pop over and leave your comment of at least 50 words on the question of the day, and you're eligible to win.

Today's book is Chapter by Chapter: Discover the Dedication and Focus You Need to Write the Book of Your Dreams by Heather Sellers.

As the McMann would say, you can't win if you don't enter...

Glimmer Train Contest for Unfinished Stories: Best Start Fiction Contest

2009-09-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, finishing a short story can seem an almost insurmountable challenge. The pressure to get it all done perfectly can be paralyzing. But Glimmer Train has a contest for the story stuck among us.

Their Best Start Fiction Contest asks for an excerpt from your story. It doesn't have to be a finished work! Send in the part you have perfected. I have no more excuses. Damn you, Glimmer Train.

This is an outstanding literary magazine, and if you're a short story writer, I heartily recommend you subscribe to see the great work out there today. I'm off to renew mine.

Contest Deadlines are Midnight Pacific Time:
1st Contest Period: September 1 - September 30
Next Contest Period: December 1 - December 31

Length: 1,000 words maximum

Reading Fee: $10 per story

Prize: $50 for the best 50 story excerpts

From the website:
"Best Start is meant to encourage new writers to tackle that story!
This category is different from our others in that the piece should be an engaging and coherent narrative, but it does not need to be a complete story; it needs to be an important part of a story in progress. You could think of it as a writing sample, but we hope you'll feel free to reach a bit. Maybe you're experimenting with a new voice, developing a character, working on clarity in a complex bit of plot or trying to make your dialogue believable and significant. You could be playing with point of view, working to build tension, or looking for a satisfying ending. Or you might be two pages into something brand new.

What we want is to read is an engaging slice of a story you're excited about writing.
All pieces should be original fiction and not have appeared in a print publication.
No fiction for children, please.
It's fine to submit more than one piece."

Start your submission here.

Dirt is Good For You Now Available on Amazon

2009-09-08T21:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Dirt is Good For You, the book with my essay in it, is now available for order on Amazon.com.

Here's to "bad parents" everywhere.

Children's Writing Workshop from WOW: Women on Writing

2009-09-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

Here's an online workshop opportunity from WOW Women on Writing taught by my writer pal Margo Dill.

WRITING FOR CHILDREN: Everything You Need to Know About Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers by Margo L. Dill

START DATE: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

DURATION: 7 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will teach the basics of writing for children’s magazines, crafting short stories, nonfiction articles, poetry, and fillers. The student will come away with a short story and cover letter, nonfiction query letter, and a filler or poem. She will also have a list of potential markets, fitting her manuscripts. The instructor will also share an organizational tool for submissions and information on finding other children’s writers and networking.

COST: $200

Not a children's writer? They also have a ton of other online workshops to choose from including fiction and magazine writing classes. Scroll down to see the choices.

Researchers Say Zombies Would be Tough Opponents

2009-09-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Some of you have read my WIP and know I have a thing for zombie lore, so this story made me grin. Some Canadian researchers have studied how a zombie infestations should be fought. Get out your bats and shotguns ladies and gentlemen, or we are all doomed.

I recommend you prepare here.

The Kind of Year It's Been

2009-09-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

I have of late--but wherefore I know not--lost all my mirth, forgone all
custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily
with my disposition that this goodly frame, the
earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most
excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave
o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted
with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to
me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.

Like Hamlet, I am whiner.

Writer Mama Giveaways Start Tuesday

2009-08-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

I am afraid this post will be brief. I've been a bit under the weather with the nasty bug that's been going around.

But I wanted to remind everyone that Christina Katz Annual Back-to-School Book Giveaways are coming. Starting Tuesday, September 1, 2009 she will be giving away a ton of great books, mostly on writing. You can find the list on her blog. I've won before and so can you. Just stop by an leave a comment on each day's post for your chance to win.

Think Outside the Bridge?

2009-08-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

As an aspiring writer, I spend mega amounts of time reading about the right way to create novels, essays, and query letters. What should the exact word count be on that young adult novel? What kind of font should I use to submit my manuscript?

Then someone sent me a picture of this spectacular water bridge, (scroll down a bit to see it) and I laughed with the sheer joy of seeing something so creative. I mean, when you think of building materials for a bridge, water isn't generally numero uno on the list. Sometimes I forget that breaking-the-rules creative part in striving to do things the "correct" way.

Cool bridge.

Win a Restaurant in Essay Contest

2009-08-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Ever dream of owning your own restaurant? Kyle Caballero is offering the public the chance to win his in an essay contest.

For the $200 entry fee you get to explain in 250 words why you should own a restaurant. The winner gets Caballero's Landeck Tavern in Landeck, OH. They will start accepting entries on Monday, August 24, 2009.

The deadline is October 31, 2009 and the contest will be judged by "an independent group of journalists." You can check out more about it on his website winmyrestaurant.com. The winner will be informed on November 25, 2009. Be sure to read the official rules if you're interested.

Christian Romance Publisher Seeking Submissions

2009-08-20T05:14:00.000-07:00

ChristianWriters.com reports that publisher Torn Veil Books is seeking christian romance submissions.

Looks like a new company, so you might want to do some research or wait to see what they first publish. They do clearly outline their royalty structure.

Dirt is Good For You

2009-08-17T05:22:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce my Babble.com essay "Straight to the Bottle" will be available in a collection of parenting essays called Dirt is Good for You starting September 9. It's available for preorder on Amazon.com right now if you want to check it out.

If you ever felt like you screwed up with your kids, this book is a great little guilt-reliever. If you've never felt that way, well this book will horrify your socks off and you shouldn't read it. It's a collection of the popular "Bad Parent" columns Babble.com has published over the last few years.

Do You Really Want to Be in A Critique Group? Really?

2009-08-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

It's critique week! Seeing lots of great posts around the blogosphere on critique groups and here is another over at Warriorwriter's Blog about what how a serious writer conducts themselves at critique vs the accolade-gathering, I'm-not-really-here-to-crit-anyone else writer.

I love the analogy with Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares show. I haven't seen it, but now I must watch some episodes.

How to Give and Take Critiques

2009-08-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

Sunrise by Tricia Grissom

Good morning.

Check out this excellent guest post from Rick Daley over on Nathan Bransford's blog about the do's and don'ts of critiques. Love the sandwich approach.

How to Write When you Despair of Being a Writer

2009-08-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

Write like you are an adolescent and the words burn you like acid, the fumes rising out of you the only way to stave off anger and despair and the angst of growing into yourself.

Write like you are a woman with breast cancer who survived. So the woman with a lump the next month or the next year or next decade knows that you lived, that you breathe and go on and she will too.

Write like they’ve dropped you in a deep, dark hole and your words are the only light rising out of it, the only breath that might set you free. Write like your countrymen have no voice and yours are the only words floating up to heaven that tell they are tortured and raped and buried in the deep places of the earth. Write so your political leaders will scream and call for your blood, so they label you a traitor and hunt you.

Write like you are a young mother with postpartum depression, and the way your doctors tried to cure you almost drove you mad. Write so they will see it and change how they treat other women.

Write like you are founding a country based on equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and you want others to know about it. Write so its citizens will fight for it and cling to its ideals in good times and bad.

Write like the President will see it. Like he will change environmental policy forever because of the words you create, the urgency. Write what you learned about history so he can design his government in the best way.

Write so that you can show how all men are created equal, and women too. Write so they can see you are smart and strong, not less because you are a slave, or a woman, or a jew or a white man who doesn’t get it. Write because it is a weapon and a benediction, because it will end a war and bind up a nation’s wounds.

Write so you can tell us how it was in the camps, in the attic, in the small quiet spaces no one sees but you.

Write so we can see each other for the first time and for the thousandth. Show us we are not alone. Write because the words are so powerful they burst from your skin like ripe fruit. Like yours is the last pen in the world, with the last bit of ink, and generations to come will see your words and do better.

Breastfeeding Essay Contest for Illinois and Missouri Moms

2009-07-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

St. John's Mercy is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with an essay contest. I'm going to editorialize here and say my experience with breastfeeding is probably not what they are looking for, and women shouldn't feel guilty if breastfeeding didn't work out for them. Oh, and don't forget to read the rules. Essays shouldn't be longer than 300 words and the contest is only open to moms in Illinois and Missouri (see the list of eligible counties in the official rules.

From the website:
How does it work?

Mothers and mothers-to-be submit essays on the topic, "What breastfeeding means to me”.

Can I still play if the contest has already started?
Yes. Submissions will be taken from July 23 to August 7. Finalists will be chosen on August 10. Voting for the finalists is open from August 11 – 21.

Are there prizes?
Yes. The essay writer with the most votes will receive her choice of either a Medela Pump ‘n Style Advanced electric breast pump (value $289) from St. John’s Mercy Pharmacy or a family portrait package (value $200), courtesy of Bella Baby Photography.

First runner up receives either a breast pump or portrait package.

Second runner up receives a one hour lactation consultation (value $45) with a certified St. John’s Mercy lactation consultant.

Third runner up receives a nursing camisole (value $40) courtesy of 9 Months in Style boutique.

Date/Times
All times are in Central Time